The Butler weekly times., 1887-07-13

'41-A4'. SIC" al 'i~litt L - AWAY ItddN
f"I presentation to my countrymen.
/ should not be frank ii [ failed to
confess. while di-claitning all resent
ment. that ! have been hurt by un-
worthy a,ld E,.a.tau attacks upon me
growing ut a; th.- matter and the
reckless In&n..e" ii which lay actions
anu motives have been misrepre-
asi.te.!. both p:.h.jcly :nd privately,
T.. winch. ',s',. -. H. Grand Army
Of tha Republic. - Fl body. is by no
mans responsible. Threats Of per
sonal violence and harm III case l
undertake the tTip iuquestion. which
scores of misguided. unbalanced men
under the stimulation of excited
feeling have made are not even con-
sidered. Rather than abandon my
visit to the west and disappoint your
citizens. l might, if l alone We're
concerned. submit to the insult to
which it is quite openly asserted |
would be helplessly subjected if
present at the encampment; but l
should bear with me there the peo-
pies highest office. the dignity of
which | must protect. and | believe
that neither the Grand army of the
Republic, as an organization. nor
anything like majority of its mem
bers. would ever encourage any
scandalous attack upon it If, how
ever among the membership of this
body there are some. as certainly
seems to be the case. determined to
! denounce Inc and my official acts at
the national encampment. I believe
they should be permitted to do so
unrestrained by my presence as a
guest of their organization. or as a
guest of the hospitable city in which
their meeting is held.
\ number of Grand Army Posts
have signified their intention, I an
Informed, to remain away from the
encampment III case | visit the city
at that time. Without considering
the merit of such an excuse. I fee
that ought not to be the cause o
such non attendance. The time ant
place Of the encampment were tiXet
long before my invitations were re
, ceived. Those desiring to partici
pate in the proceedings should b
l first regarded, and nothing shoul'
? be permitted to interfere with thei
| intentions. Another consideration
t of more importance than all other
T. remains to be noted. The fact wa
y referred to by you when you verbal
presented the invitation of the cit
: zens of ST. Louis that the comm
). encampment of the Grand Army {
t the Republic would be the first bel
G in Southern state. [ suppose tn
e fact was mentioned as a pleasin
o indication of the fraternal feelin
l. fast gaining ground throughout IL
d entire land and hailed by every patti
It otic citizen as an earnest that tt
It Union has really and in fact bee
al saved in sentiment and spirit wit
is all the benefits it vouchsafes to
n united people. I cannot rid myse
G of the belief that the least discol
he on this propitious occasion mig
Of retard the progress of the sentime
P of common brotherhood which t
Of Grand Army of the Republic has
i'd good an opportunity to increase al
to foster. I certainly ought not to
d. the cause of such discord in a
I'd event or upon any pretext- 1t seel
st. to me that you and the citizens
Id St. Louis are entitled to this unl
be served statement of the conditio
as which have constrained me to fore
it my contemplated visit and to Wi
ny draw my acceptance of your in
to tation. My presence in your city
ce the time you have indicated can
le- of but little moment compared W
as- the importance OF a cordial and h
dl- monious entertainment of your otl
uy guests. | assure you that IabanC
DC my plan without the least perso